Related video: Georgia election official debunks one Trump conspiracy theory after another
Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail in Georgia on Monday night to stump for the Republican candidates in the states Senate runoffs on Tuesday, pushing his baseless election fraud narrative and pressuring his own deputy, vice president Mike Pence, over his role in certifying the outcome before Congress on Wednesday.
I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. I hope our great vice president comes through for us. Hes a great guy. Of course, if he doesnt come through, I wont like him very much, the outgoing president said, less than 48 hours before the House and Senate come together to count the electoral votes and hear challenges from GOP lawmakers.
Mr Trump remains under fire for his weekend phone call urging Georgias secretary of state Brad Raffensperger to find additional ballots to overturn the result in the Peach State, with Democrats calling for an FBI investigation, House Republicans leaping to his defence and retiring Republican senator Pat Toomey branding the leaked conversation a new low in this whole futile and sorry episode.
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Trump says he will fight like hell to hold onto presidency
President Donald Trump has vowed to fight like hell to hold onto the presidency.
Addressing supporters at his Georgia rally on Monday night, Mr Trump said Democrats would not take this White House.
Were going to fight like hell, Ill tell you right now, the president said.
Mr Trump said he would continue fighting the results of what he branded a rigged election,” with the president repeating unfounded claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election during the speech.
Chantal Da Silva5 January 2021 09:43
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Trump presses Pence to come through for him and overturn Electoral College results
President Donald Trump appeared to use part of his Monday night rally in Georgia to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to somehow reject President-elect Joe Bidens Electoral College victory when Congress meets this week to certify the result of the 2020 election.
I hope Mike Pence comes through for us. I hope our great vice president comes through for us. Hes a great guy. Of course, if he doesnt come through, I wont like him very much, the president told supporters.
His comments came less than 48 hours before the House and Senate convene on Wednesday to count the electoral votes and hear challenges from GOP lawmakers.
A number of GOP senators have already said they will not support certifying Mr Bidens victory unless unfounded claims of voter fraud are investigated.
President repeats same unproven allegations of widespread fraud as in controversial call with senior Georgia elections officials
Chantal Da Silva5 January 2021 09:34
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Stacey Abrams not at all surprised by Trumps call with Raffensperger
Stacey Abrams has said she is not at all surprised by President Donald Trumps call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, in which Trump urged Raffensperger to try to find the votes to help overturn the 2020 election result.
Speaking with comedian and talk show host Stephen Colbert on Monday, the former Georgia gubernatorial candidate said was not shocked by Mr Trumps actions.
This is a person who has demonstrated absolutely no grasp of the augustness of his office or the contours of the law.
However, she also said that voters should not lionise Mr Raffensperger as a voting rights champion for speaking out against Mr Trumps actions following the call.
Its a good thing that hes defending this election because the election result is the right result,” she said.
Chantal Da Silva5 January 2021 09:25
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Good morning and welcome to The Independents rolling coverage of the presidential transition as Donald Trumps administration enters its final weeks.
Joe Sommerlad5 January 2021 09:07
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